LG unveils the Optimus Black

LAS VEGAS--Hot on the heels of the LG Optimus 2X, LG has just introduced another Android smartphone here at CES 2011 called the LG Optimus Black. The Optimus Black promises a super bright 4-inch "NOVA display" in a very thin 9.2mm design. In fact, LG claims that it tapers down to 6.0mm to make it the world's thinnest smartphone.

The NOVA display claims to be the brightest and most readable mobile screen with "700 nits of brightness" for optimal visibility. The new display technology also promises improved battery life. The Optimus Black will have a custom Optimus user interface (UI) that lets people view messages and calls from the locked screen, plus a Gesture UI that lets you control certain actions by shaking or tapping the phone. It will also have the world's first Wi-Fi Direct technology for transferring data, and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Optimus Black will ship with Android 2.2, and is upgradable to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It will be available globally in the first half of 2011.